How much should nurses be paid?

mattsmom81 · Jun 28, 2003

Originally posted by TeleNurse_02
If you're so unhappy being a nurse, then quit.

Well, many within our ranks have done just that...and have added to the 'shortage'. Those of us who still stick it out must find our own reasons...but we also must find a way to vent our frustrations.

The frustrations in our careers are real, not in our minds and not our fault....and we cannot change that reality...sometimes all we can do is listen, and empathize with each other, offer support.

"Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

We won't be able to change things on a big scale til we can come together enmasse and speak as a group of influential professionals. I don't know if nurses can do that, to be honest.

Until then we can try to do the best we can one person at a time. I think that is where most of us are. :)

MelRN13 · Jun 30, 2003

Originally posted by mattsmom81
Well, many within our ranks have done just that...and have added to the 'shortage'. Those of us who still stick it out must find our own reasons...but we also must find a way to vent our frustrations.

mattsmom-- I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I was distressed that the member I quoted was not encouraging to the student, instead it sounded like she was encouraging her to find a different career path.

I agree that we need to "stick it out", but we also need to encourage our young to consider nursing as a career.

911fltrn · Jun 30, 2003

I dont think it will ever be enough, However if there is a express line for nurses at the pearly gates it would all be worth while! :-)

Cynthiann · Jun 30, 2003

I'm the student mentioned and I am open minded enough to not let comments like that totally discourage me but it does give me a head up for what to expect in the future. I expect it because this is a place where a lot of burnt out nurses release some of the fustration from work. One of my many reasons I decided to go into to nursing was the ability to go in a different types of nursing if I got burnt out with another aspect of nursing. There are so many different kind of jobs as a nurse and with the availability of jobs out there that I know I will eventually find something that I will absolutely love. I'm still completely looking forward to becoming a nurse regardless of the negative things I sometimes read on these boards and even hear from my own family. Family doesn't discourage me but some of them work in hospitals and tell me the things nurses complain about and go through.

charissa · Jun 30, 2003

We deserve to make a lot we take a lot of crap

CallyRN · Jul 1, 2003

I didn't go into nursing for the money myself. I enjoy taking care of patients. Don't get me wrong, the money is nice but it is just an extra incentive. I am a recent grad. I haven't even taken my boards but I am working on my permit and I make $17 (I will be making $19.55 when I go on 2nd shift). I am happy with that if I know that I am helping someone.

Colleen

flowerchild · Jul 1, 2003

$70,000-$90,000 annually plus full benefits.

jehilliard · Jul 1, 2003

If nurses are to be paid per procedure performed; how much do we charge for the patient who is confused and refuses to cooperate for whom we have to reposition and straighten bedding every fifteen minutes for 12 hours?

resqrider · Jul 6, 2003

Hi Gang, I am a Student Nurse in North Dakota. I am now on a Job hunt , so that as soon as i graduate i can begin working in my chosen field of nursing. However, I notice in North Dakota that many of the nurses are not happy with the pay they recieve. for example, one hospital in ND offers $12-15/hr with a tidy benefit package while another has a contractoral obligation of 2 years with a base salary of $10.40/hr and a tidy benefit package.

My concern is what if I am not satisfied with the 2year contract and have to pay back a portion of the bonus. that would seriously hurt my family.

why is hiring nurses such a wage war anyway can't we all just get along.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2003

Is this ND that requires at Bachelor's degree?

So much for the "If we require a BSN, our pay will go up." I know LPNs in FL that make more without a contract.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2003

Last year I got a commendation from a fellow co-worker, for going that "extra mile". guess what I got from Management?

A little red rubber ball with a :) on it.

Meanwhile, our VP's and docs are making six-figure salaries...

Unbelieveable, isn't it?

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jul 6, 2003

Originally posted by CseMgr1
Last year I got a commendation from a fellow co-worker, for going that "extra mile". guess what I got from Management?

A little red rubber ball with a :) on it.

Meanwhile, our VP's and docs are making six-figure salaries...

Unbelieveable, isn't it?

OMG!!! A little rubber ball with a :) on it??? :eek: Oh, how I would have loved to have seen your face when you were presented with this gift of "appreciation" !!! :rolleyes: I think I would have cut into it (right in front of them) and looked inside saying sth. along the lines of "I thought the ball was just a humorous 'wrapping' of what was to be the REAL show of appreciation found inside this hideous ball..." Sheeeeeeeeesh !

I still believe that nurses are viewed as nothing more than the blue collar laborers of the healthcare profession.. regardless of education, specialty training/skills, etc. We're still just that. And we have accepted it by our silence (other than on these BBs).

This is what has to change. Until it does, things will only continue to get worse and we'll be stripped of even more as time goes by.